NZ Post of New Zealand has confirmed that the local states of emergency in response to Cyclone Gabrielle have been lifted in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti/Gisborne regions.
Both regions are now in a ‘response and transition to recovery phase’. Road infrastructure is still affected in these regions therefore delivery delays are still to be expected.
Poste Italiane has confirmed that Italian unions have announced a 24-hour strike on 17th March involving ground handlers and other airport personnel, concerning all Italian airports.
Disruption is expected with regard to handling inbound and outbound mail at Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports.
You may have seen reports that more than 100,000 civil service members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union will be going on strike on Wednesday 15th March 2023. Following a nationwide ballot in February, HMRC members of PCS agreed to industrial action and therefore some HMRC staff will be taking part. The action will also include UK-based Home Office members, including Border Force staff.
The industrial action is likely to impact the movement of goods through UK ports, airports and Inland Border Facilities on 15th March, as well as those travelling to the UK from UK Border controls in Calais, Dunkirk and Coquelles in Northern France.
Customers may experience delays when contacting the National Clearance Hub (NCH) and Customs & International Trade (CIT) Helpline. There may also be some disruption on the morning of 16 March as business returns to normal.
What you can do
If you are able to move goods outside of this period, then we would advise that you do so.
If you cannot delay your movements then please be aware that the industrial action could lead to disruption and delays at ports and Inland Border Facilities (IBFs). You should be prepared for these delays before starting any movement.
After a great post-COVID 2022 for UKPW, we have had a fantastic start to 2023. After attending the Berlin Expo last year as delegates we took a leap of faith in February and exhibited at the show for the first time. Four senior members of the team attended the show including Lee Bucktrout Founder and CEO, Guy Cliffe Sales Director, Marie Pay Head of Client Services, and Kelly Hudson Marketing Manager. Donning their matching outfits they were very excited about the day ahead.
It turned out to be an amazing event surpassing all expectations with customers and suppliers alike making an effort to attend this one day event. There were no usual quiet spells, the team were nonstop from start to finish. As well as meeting up with some of our existing customers we also met with Austria Post, Emolog and Direct link Germany to name just a few. Having discussed our proposition with many prospects we left the show with over 50 prospects who have all subsequently been contacted.
We would like to thank everyone that attended the show and gave UKPW the opportunity to explain how we can help EU based retailers, 3PLs, customs agents and freight forwarders export low and high-value eCommerce products to the UK. With UKPW’s in-house bespoke software, we are able to manage the full customs clearance process ensuring correctly paid tax and duties and compliance to HMRC regulations. UKPW also offers a fully managed returns service including reclaiming any duty on returned goods over £135.00.
If your eCommerce market expansion has been interrupted by BREXIT and the new customs regime, come and talk to UKPW and let us demonstrate how we can get your international development back on track.
We are already in the process of booking our spot for 2024 and look forward to meeting many more potential clients.
Thank you Berlin Expo it was a great show.
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